Application period open for Superior Health Foundation 2018 grants cycle

Lisa Bowers

Journal Staff Writer

lbowers@miningjournal.net

MARQUETTE — The Superior Health Foundation is seeking non-profit groups with a health-centered mission to be recipients of grants up to $10,000 in 2018.

The foundation is accepting funding applications until Dec. 15 in anticipation of the organization’s seventh annual gala in September.

Two, non-profit projects will be selected by late December, and will then be forwarded to the SHF Board of Directors for approval in January.

During selection, the SHF Gala Committee will give high priority to health-centered initiatives or projects that benefit a large geographic population in the region and align with its mission, which is “to assist with unmet health care needs, with health education and with programs and research on preventing illness and promoting health,” organization officials said.

“In six years holding the gala, the Superior Health Foundation has raised more than $344,000,” LaJoie said. “Our net proceeds go back into grant funding to help nonprofits all across the Upper Peninsula with health-centered projects.”

The gala and other fundraising efforts have resulted in the foundation awarding almost $1.7 million in grants that have been applied to a variety of health concerns.

“Each year, the SHF selects a proactive grant-giving project in which two-thirds of its large grant funding is dedicated to addressing that issue,” LaJoie said. “Over the past four years, SHF has provided funding to address pediatric oral health, mental health wellness, childhood obesity and, in 2017, substance use issues in the U.P. The latter is of such prevalence that we are dedicating more than a half a million dollars to this issue over two years. In four years of proactive grant giving, SHF has awarded more than $1 million to the aforementioned health issues.”

The SHF had 14 applications to choose from in anticipation of the gala in 2017, but ultimately the committee voted to partner with Camp New Day and HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response.

“Each organization was awarded $10,000 at the gala,” LaJoie said. “The SHF team and board of directors could not have asked for better partners. Their missions are incredible and impact lives every day.”

Each organization that is chosen for the awards is asked to invite employees and guests to the gala, LaJoie said.

LaJoie said the SHF works hard to improve the lives of Upper Peninsula residents every day.

“The Superior Health Foundation is very blessed to be in position to provide much-needed grant funding to worthy causes all across the Upper Peninsula,” LaJoie said. “There are so many incredible health needs.”

Online applications are available on the Superior Health Foundation website, www.superiorhealthfoundation.org.

Questions regarding the program can be directed to the Superior Health Foundation at 906-225-6914 or emailed to shf@superiorhealthfoundation.org.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.